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Links And Couplings.

The links and couplings of a train are the agents that keep the whole wonderful mechanism together in harmonious movement. The links and couplings between nations are not always so fortunate in their effects, although the necessity for closer contact between all nations follows from the conditions of modern transport, and becomes more pressing with each new transport development.

The stresses and strains of unfriendly association are particularly in evidence in Europe at the present time, but doubtless this phase will pass with the development of better understanding. Such under-standing is dependent upon the success of men of good will in penetrating the mass consciousness with their ideas. Difficulties of language stand in the way but these are gradually being bridged and will become less evident with increased intercourse.

It is found that all the English-speaking races are thinking increasingly along similar lines, and the link of a common language plays an important part in this approach towards a universal outlook upon most of the things that matter. The printed word, the cable, pictures and the radio make the spread of ideas, the development of tastes, and an appreciation of the other fellow's standpoint increasingly easier day by day.

This Magazine has taken for its province the story of New Zealand, including, of course, the railways of New Zealand; and month by month it tells in prose and verse and illustration, through the pens of leading authorities in literature, art and humour, about the features of development and romance associated with the country; and it discusses particularly those things of interest and value that are characteristic of, or distinctive to, this Dominion.

The main appeal of this field is naturally to New Zealanders themselves; but there is a surprising amount of interest shown in the publication amongst the peoples of other countries. The close family and business ties between the British Isles, Australia and New Zealand make it easy to understand why a publication which gives authentic information bearing on New Zealand and its people should be eagerly looked for by the many sections amongst whom it circulates in the other countries mentioned, but its overseas penetration is not confined to these. By the last American mail, for instance, casual letters arrived from Toronto, New York, Bermuda, Baldwyn (Mississippi) and Hyattsville (Maryland), mostly from people whom we did not know had any access to the Magazine, but all showing an exceptionally keen interest in the publication.

The Hyattsville man had missed the last October issue and was anxious for a replace copy so that he could follow, without break, the continuity of “The Thirteenth Clue.”

The lady on the somewhat insecure banks of the Mississippi wanted to trace family history through a Wellington street-name mentioned in an article of the August number; and Bermuda liked the Magazine all through—including the advertisements.

Toronto and New York, with big city sophistication, merely reached out their hands for more copies—and got them.

These facts are mentioned, not only as something that may prove of interest to our general readers, but as signs of the threads in the weaving of international knowledge, trivial in themselves, but indicative of what is going on upon a huge scale throughout the whole range of human intercourse.

All should remember that it is from the conglomerate mass of thoughts and words printed and spoken, the emotions they express and the spirit they reveal, that the future of world affairs depends.